The correct architecture is to create a Gateway Load Balancer (GWLB) in a dedicated inspection VPC and attach it to the Transit Gateway. This works because the GWLB acts as a centralized traffic inspection point, intercepting all east-west traffic between VPCs and north-south traffic to on-premises via Transit Gateway route tables that direct flows to the inspection VPC. On the AWS Certified Advanced Networking Specialty ANS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how to decouple traffic inspection from individual VPCs using GWLB’s transparent appliance chaining, often appearing as a trap where candidates mistakenly choose Direct Connect Gateway or VPC peering. A common memory tip is to remember that GWLB is the only service that provides centralized, scalable inspection without modifying source/destination IPs, while AWS Network Firewall is VPC-scoped. Think “GWLB = Gateway for Load Balancing inspection” to recall its role as the central inspection hub.
ANS-C01 Network Management and Operations Practice Question
This ANS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of network management and operations. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A company has a VPC with a Transit Gateway (TGW) connected to multiple VPCs and an on-premises network via Direct Connect. The network team wants to implement centralized inspection of all traffic between VPCs and between VPCs and on-premises. Which architecture should they use?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Create a Gateway Load Balancer (GWLB) in a dedicated inspection VPC and attach it to the Transit Gateway.
Centralized inspection is achieved by using a GatewayLoad Balancer with appliances in a dedicated inspection VPC. Transit Gateway route tables direct traffic to the inspection VPC. AWS Network Firewall can also be used but is placed in a VPC. Direct Connect gateway does not provide inspection.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Attach a Direct Connect Gateway to the Transit Gateway and configure route propagation.
Why it's wrong here
Direct Connect Gateway provides connectivity, not inspection.
Create a Gateway Load Balancer (GWLB) in a dedicated inspection VPC and attach it to the Transit Gateway.
Why this is correct
GWLB with appliances allows centralized inspection. TGW routes traffic through the inspection VPC.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Deploy a third-party firewall in each VPC and use VPC peering.
Why it's wrong here
This is decentralized, not centralized inspection, and VPC peering is not transitive.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A healthcare organisation deploys an application with a public-facing web tier and a private database tier. The database subnet has no public IP and only accepts connections from the web tier's security group. Questions like this test whether you can design cloud network isolation using VNets/VPCs, subnets, and security group rules.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which ANS-C01 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Network Management and Operations — This question tests Network Management and Operations — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create a Gateway Load Balancer (GWLB) in a dedicated inspection VPC and attach it to the Transit Gateway. — Centralized inspection is achieved by using a Gateway Load Balancer with appliances in a dedicated inspection VPC. Transit Gateway route tables direct traffic to the inspection VPC. AWS Network Firewall can also be used but is placed in a VPC. Direct Connect gateway does not provide inspection.
What should I do if I get this ANS-C01 question wrong?
Identify which ANS-C01 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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